Yankton, SD, town of 13,700 people, is really a best-kept secret, a gem of a city located in the extreme southeast corner of South Dakota in Yankton County. This area has built its history on the river and agriculture. The Missouri River sets along the south border of Yankton; Nebraska is on the other side of the Meridian Bridge that connects the two states.

Rich in outdoor recreation opportunity, locals and visitors alike have a playground of activity no matter what time of year it is. Yankton boasts the region’s most popular lake and campsite area, Lewis & Clark Recreation Area.

You’ll find people enjoying the sunny days, relaxing on the beach with their feet in the cool lake water. Some opt to jump through the waves behind a ski boat; the horizon is often dotted with the clean white sails of sail boating enthusiasts.

Visit any of the 300+ sites at the Lewis & Clark campground and you’ll see families enjoying time together. The campsites are littered with bicycles, beach towels hanging from makeshift clotheslines strung between trees; there are coolers and grills and lawn chairs. Each summer, more than 1 million people visit the campground areas, often making their reservations months ahead of time, to request their favorite spot.

Fishermen call Yankton a haven as well, with both the Missouri River and the lake at their beck and call. Many varieties of fish can be found in these waters. Ice fishing is a cool winter sport. And each October, an annual paddlefish season opens to hundreds of anglers trying to snag one of these prehistoric fish.

 And hunting is a way of life in this area. Each fall, outdoorsmen hunt for pheasant, ducks, deer and other wildlife. Predator hunting fills the winter months, and spring signals the start of turkey hunting. South Dakota’s state bird, the Chinese Ringnecked Pheasant, thrives in the excellent habitat provided by the South Dakota landscape. The avid hunter will find this region a paradise.

In Yankton, there are almost 30 miles of developed bike trails. (For that day when you’re feeling really energetic, ride the 20 miles of trails out and around the Lewis & Clark Lake!).

Well-known – now retired - NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw, and his wife Meredith (Auld), were born and raised in Yankton. Their generosity helped the construction of the Auld-Brokaw Trail that runs through town, following the Marne Creek, and then south along the Missouri River by Riverside Park. The main north-south highway (81) through the city is named Tom Brokaw Boulevard.

Yankton was the first territorial capital of the Dakotas. Because of that honor, and because of its location along the Missouri River, the city has a history that has many stories to tell. Many of the homes along Pine Street were built by men who had important positions in the riverboat industry. The tallest Queen Anne home in South Dakota - Cramer Kenyon Heritage Home - is located in Yankton.

If you look skyward when in Historic Riverfront District, you’ll see architecture that’s not easily replicated today. The buildings each have a story to tell; and the businesses owned by home-town people continue to keep the vitality of the city alive.

Shopping downtown is a treat, where you can browse through clothing boutiques, upscale home décor stores, and stores ranging from those who sell exquisite jewelry pieces to kitchen gadgets. Children’s clothing, sporting apparel, and a retro shop are fun to look around in.

You’ll find fun at gifts, seasonal items, and a hardware store where they know customers by name. Western wear, wedding apparel, consignment clothing…there are a lot of places to visit. There are also a variety of antique dealers located downtown, housing unique one-of-a-kind furniture and other collectibles. When you’re ready for a break, stop and have a caramel latte at any of the coffee shops  - or maybe some fine chocolate candy from the counter at the local drug store.

The downtown also has nightlife. You’ll notice that all the local bars are situated on the north side of 3rd Street. In the early days, this was done so that women and children would not have to walk past these establishments while doing their shopping. That tradition, coincidentally or not, has continued today! Some bars feature a collection of taxidermy wildlife; they also range from dance clubs to smoke-free piano bar atmospheres.

Yankton is home to a prestigious healthcare system, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital as well as Mount Marty College, a liberal arts college in the Catholic tradition with just over 1100 students enrolled. The city has a strong Catholic Benedictine tradition at its roots.   In addition, the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD is an easy 25-mile commute on a four-lane expressway.

The Yankton School District is well-known in the state for its high academic standards and athletics excellence. There are 6 elementary schools, both public and private, two Middle Schools and Yankton High School that was newly built in 1995.

In addition, Yankton offers technical education and training through the Regional Technical Education Center. RTEC is a not-for-profit technical education center that provides rapid response training and education for regional organizations and individuals who want to upgrade their skills.

One of Yankton’s larger employers is the Yankton Federal Prison Camp (on the campus of which was once Yankton College).The Human Services Center, as well as various local and international manufacturing companies, make up the majority of employers to the region.

Yankton has a shopping mall, various ‘big box’ stores and national franchises, and strip malls with shops and services that serve communities in a 40 minute diameter, including towns in Nebraska.

There are two cable/internet providers available. Many of the local businesses and restaurants have incorporated wireless Internet service into their buildings, making surfing and email correspondence convenience for visitors and locals. In addition, the Mount Marty College campus is wireless.

Smaller communities around Yankton depend on the city for healthcare, services and retail shopping. Each of them has a unique heritage, and host fun annual events each year. It’s not unusual for people living in Yankton to venture out of the city into these small towns to eat at a well-known restaurant, to meet friends at a local hangout bar, or to attend the events that make small town America so alive.

Vermillion, SD, located just 20 miles – a short 15 minute drive – east of Yankton, is home to the University of South Dakota and unique attractions that come with being located in a college town.